What kind of science is cosmology?
arXiv:0910.4333 · doi:10.1002/andp.201010450
Abstract
In recent years, by theory and observation cosmology has advanced substantially. Parameters of the concordance or CDM cosmological model are given with unprecedented precision ("precision cosmology"). On the other side, 95% of the matter content of the universe are of an unknown nature. This awkward situation motivates the present attempt to find cosmology's place among the (exact) natural sciences. Due to its epistemic and methodical particularities, e.g., as a mathematized historical science, cosmology occupies a very special place. After going through some of the highlights of cosmological modeling, the conclusion is reached that knowledge provided by cosmological modeling cannot be as explicative and secure as knowledge gained by laboratory physics.
62 pages, to appear in Annalen der Physik 2010
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